Tapeworms are parasites usually found in the intestines of dogs and cats. On rare occasions, they can also be transmitted into other host bodies, including human. They have a lifespan of several years.
-
Fleas
-
You̵7;re not likely to find tapeworms without finding fleas. This is because flea larvae ingest tapeworm eggs. This is the start of the tapeworm's lifespan. The fleas then find their own host animal. When the animal licks its coat and ingests the fleas, the tapeworms are introduced into the new host's body.
Intestines
-
Tapeworms spend most of their lifespan inside the intestines of the host animal. While there, they attach themselves to the intestinal wall and, as they grow older, segments of their bodies are passed through the intestines.
Survival
-
The lifespan of the tapeworm can be several years if it makes it into the adult stage. Normally, however, it fails to attach itself adequately to the intestinal wall, thereby greatly reducing its lifespan.
Treatment
-
Since the lifespan of an adult tapeworm can be in terms of years, it̵7;s important to treat an infected host with a worming medicine.
Infestation
-
In addition to being somewhat long-lived, tapeworms are also highly contagious. If one host has tapeworms, the likelihood of others around it being infected is high.
-